4 Tips to Prepare for Air Conditioning Season

Summer may seem like it’s a long time off away. But before you realize, you’ll be moving from heating to cooling. Soon enough your air conditioner is running regularly to maintain cool temperatures. It’s wise to prep for the extra usage before temperatures really start to climb. 

Robinson Service Experts and our team of Experts can assist you. We’ve designed our all-inclusive air conditioning memberships to boost your system’s energy efficiency and trustworthiness. Our professional skill goes a long way, but there are a lot of other things you can do to protect your air conditioner. Here are four of the best ways you can prep for air conditioning season. 

1. Clean Your Air Conditioner

Don’t fret, you won’t have to take apart your system and clean every part. Our Experts handle this during your annual air conditioning maintenance appointment. 

But cleaning the space around your air conditioner will go a long way as well. We suggest: 

• Getting rid of twigs, leaves and grass clippings from the outside of your air conditioner. 
• Keeping surrounding grass and plants clipped back. 
• Maintaining at minimum 1 foot of free room on all sides around your air conditioner. 

If your air conditioner’s fins get clogged with dirt or yard refuse, this can affect performance and comfort. Your air conditioner will have to run more often to provide the same level of comfort. In extreme cases, it may stop running altogether and need air conditioning repair. 

Your comfort and satisfaction matter to us, so we want to minimize the likelihood of repairs in the first place. A well-maintained air conditioner usually runs more efficiently, is less likely to malfunction and often lasts longer. 

2. Replace Your Air Filter

Routinely replacing your air filter is critical for your air conditioner’s well-being. During a maintenance visit, our techs check filters and put in new ones if needed. Putting in a new filter is quick and easy. You can (and should) do it on your own whenever! 

How frequently you need to get a new filter depends on: 

• The kind of filter you use. 
• If someone in your home has asthma, allergies or other respiratory problems. 

• If you have pets. 

Basic flat filters normally last for 30–60 days. Deeper pleated filters can last up to 90 days. If you don’t know if your filter should be replaced, take it out, and hold it up to the light. Get a new one if you can’t see light through it. 

Filters trap dust, pollen and other pollutants from your house’s air, keeping airflow clean. Forgetting about it will impact your house’s indoor air quality and your air conditioner’s efficiency. 

In some situations a dirty filter could even damage your system or cause it to malfunction. Often changing it will keep the inside of your air conditioner cleaner and airflow more balanced. 

If someone in your household has allergies, asthma or other respiratory problems, check with our Experts about how a HEPA filter can relieve symptoms. 

3. Test Your Thermostat and Smoke Detectors

Now is the perfect time to check other important pieces of your air conditioner and other safety systems. 

If you have a programmable thermostat, check that it’s working like it should. If the batteries are getting low, replace them. 

For added control and convenience, consider getting a smart thermostat. They make using less energy simpler. And select models can even tell you if there’s an issue with your air conditioner or if your air filter needs replacing. 

Although they’re not part of your air conditioning system, now is a good time to inspect the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Confirming they still have juice gives peace of mind and an extra layer of protection. 

4. Keep Heat Outdoors

One of the best ways to boost energy-efficient cooling is to reduce the concentration of outside heat coming into your house. Using good window treatments like blackout curtains, honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, can stop the sun from impacting interior temperatures. 

Here are a couple other methods to keep your house cool without adjusting the thermostat: 

• Run ceiling fans when you’re in the room. 
• Turn on your bathroom fan to get rid of heat and humidity when you shower. 

• Keep air vents clean to ensure proper airflow. 
• Install caulk and weatherstripping to seal your doors and windows. 

Rely on Robinson Service Experts for Skilled Air Conditioning Maintenance

Our guide will help your air conditioner run better this summer. But the best way you can increase efficiency is with air conditioning maintenance. Some perks of this service involve: 

• Stress-free cooling. 

• Likely cheaper cooling costs. 
• Possibly increasing your air conditioner’s lifetime. 
• Keeping your valuable manufacturer’s warranty intact. 

Make sure your air conditioning is ready for this summer! Call the heating and cooling Experts at Robinson Service Experts now! Call us at 847-306-8730 to book your maintenance appointment or to learn more about our HVAC membership plans.